Article retainer



March 22, 1966 L. BLODEE 3,241,683

ARTICLE RETAINER Filed Feb. 2'7, 1964 A5 I INVENTOR.

76. 3. Q? ZM United States Patent "ice 3,241,683 ARTICLE RETAINER Leif Blodee, Holland, Mich., assignor to Herman Miller, lino, Zeeland, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Fiied Feb. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 347,913 6 Claims. (Cl. 211-43) This invention relates to an article retainer. More particularly, this invention relates to an article retainer in combination with a shelf structure especially well adapted to be used as a book divider.

Many types of article retainers and devices for holding books and the like in an upright position are presently in existence. Many of these structures are unduly complex and require rather exact manipulation to assure proper positioning of the article retained. If complexity is avoided, then a lack of stability occurs. Consequently, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved article retainer, of simple construction, yet providing great stability for the article retained.

A further object of this invention is the provision of such an article retainer which functions as an integral part of the shelf supporting the article retained.

A further object of this invention is the provision of such an article retainer which may be quickly and simply positioned by placing it under tension, and may be quickly and simply moved by a simple sliding action.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts upon read ing the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the article retainer in retaining position;

FIG. 2 is a plan perspective view of the article retainer just prior to positioning for retention of an article; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an insert receiving the article retainer of this invention.

Briefly, this invention relates to the combination of an elongated shelf having a pair of parallel slots extending lengthwise thereof, a resilient article retainer having end-s movable toward one another under tension, the ends of the retainer being of a size fitting into the slots in the shelf under tension, and the ends being of a length providing stability for the retainer lengthwise of the shelf.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the refer ence numeral 1 designates the article retainer of this invention (FIGS. 1 and 2). The article retainer 1 includes the retaining member 2, the elongated shelf 10 and the inserts 15 positioned in the shelf '10 for receiving the retainer member 2.

In the embodiment shown, the retainer member 2 is of wire-like configuration and is preferably of generally V-shape including a pair of legs 3 and 4. At the free end of each of the legs 3 and 4 of the retainer member 2 a wire-like member 5 is affixed by suitable means such as welding. The members 5 are positioned generally perpendicular to the legs 3 and 4, the members 5 lying generally parallel to each other. The retainer member 2 is fabricated of a somewhat resilient material such as steel wire, enabling one to move the cross members 5 toward and away from each other, the purpose of which will be more fully explained hereinafter.

In the embodiment shown, the shelf is of wooden construction, having a band of veneer 11 at the top and bottom thereof. The shelf 10 is actually divided into three parts by the provision of the pair of inserts 15 (FIG. 3). Each insert 15 is shaped to provide an upper slot 16 and a lower slot 17, the slots lying at an angle to one another. The inserts are elongated and may be fabricated of extruded aluminum, including an elongated portion 18 along each side thereof, the elongated portions Patented Mar. 22, 1966 being roughened at 19 as shown. The shelf sections include slots 12 which receive the portions 18. It will be seen that the inserts 15 are rammed into the slots 12 in the shelf 10, and glued into place. The shelving sections are shaped to provide glue pockets 13 to prevent glue from escaping to the surface of the shelf. It will be noted that the inserts 15 and the shelf sections of the shelf 10 together form a supporting member for articles, such as books and the like. With this construction, the slots remain perfectly aligned, and warping of the wooden shelf does not disturb them.

In operation, it will be seen that the inserts 15 are positioned such that a pair of slots 16 are exposed upwardly and toward each other. Likewise, a pair of slots 17 are exposed downwardly and toward each other. To position the retainer member 2 for retaining support of an article, one merely compresses members 5 toward each other and positions them in respective slots at the top or bottom of the shelf under tension. This tension holds the retainer 2 in position for providing rigid support of articles. Pressure by the articles against tre retainer 2 merely binds the members 5 within the upper slots '16 or the lower slots 17, making it impossible to move the retainer. However, the retainer 2 can be moved quickly and simply by grasping it, relaxing the tension on the legs 3 and 4, and then sliding the member 2 along the respective slots.

It will be seen that an improved type of article retainer has been provided. The structure is relatively simple, yet rigid support is given to articles retained thereby. The retainer can be quickly and simply positioned and repositioned. Due to the inherent structure of the device, the retainer may be depended from the shelf giving support to articles therebelow, or may be positioned upright on the shelf for retaining articles on the surface thereof.

While only one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it may be possible to practice the invention through the utilization of certain other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Such other embodiments are to be included as part of this invention unless the following claims specifically state otherwise.

I claim:

1. In combination: an elongated shelf, a pair of elongated parallel inserts extending lengthwise of said shelf, said inserts having slots opening to both the upper and lower surfaces of said shelf, an article retainer mountable into one of the pair of said slots of said shelf, said article retainer being resilient and having ends movable toward one another under tension, and said ends of said retainer being of a size fitting into respective of said slots under tension and of a length providing stability for said retainer lengthwise of said shelf.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1, said retainer comprising a wire-like member having a perpendicular extension at each end thereof, said extensions being parallel to one another.

3. A structure as defined in claim 2, said inserts each shaped to provide slots lying at an angle to one another and said retainer being generally V-shap'ed.

4. A structure as defined in claim 3, said inserts each shaped to include portions extending lengthwise thereof fitted into said shelf along each of its sides and glued thereto.

5. In combination: an elongated wooden shelf, a pair of elongated parallel inserts extending lengthwise of said shelf, said inserts having slots opening to both the upper and lower surfaces of said shelf, said slots at the top and bottom of said shelf extending toward each other, said inserts shaped to include portions extending lengthwise thereof along each side, said portions fitted into recesses in said shelf and glued therein, said recesses shaped to form interior glue pockets, an article retainer mountable into one of the pair of said slots of said shelf, said article retainer comprising a wire-like, generally V-shaped member and being resilient, having ends movable toward one another under tension, said ends being wire-like and perpendicular to said retainer and into respective of said slots under tension and of a length providing stability for said retainer lengthwise of said shelf.

6. In combination: an elongated wooden shelf, a pair of elongated parallel inserts extending lengthwise of said shelf, said inserts having a thickness equal to that of the shelf and being spaced from each of the lengthwise edges of the shelf; said inserts having aslot opening to at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of said shelf, said inserts shaped to-include portions extending lengthwise thereof along each side, said portions fitted into recesses in said shelf and fixedly secured therein, an article retainer mountable into a pair of slots in said inserts, said article retainer being a wirelike, resilient member, having 4. ends movable toward one another under tension, said ends being wirelike and perpendicular to said retainer and received into respective ones of said slots under tension and of a length providing stability for said retainer lengthwise of said shelf.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 423,647 3/ 1890 Wells 211-42 999,974 8/1911 Fauth 2l1184 X 1,599,654 9/1926 Cranston 2l1-153 1,723,306 8/ 1929 Sipe 50-346 X 2,062,802 12/ 1936 Walker 211-44 2,257,001 9/1941 Davis 50-440 X 2,314,557 3/1943 Rosenfeld 211-40 3,120,894 2/1964 Conley 21143 3,144,942 8/ 1964 Peebles 211--11 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION: AN ELONGATED SHELF, A PAIR OF ELONGATED PARALLEL INSERTS EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF SAID SHELF, SAID INSERTS HAVIONG SLOTS OPENING TO BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER SURFACES OF SAID SHELF, AN ARTICLE RETAINER MOUNTABLE INTO ONE OF THE PAIR OF SAID SLOTS OF SAID SHELF, SAID ARTICLE RETAINER BEING RESILIENT AND HAVING ENDS MOVABLE TOWARD ONE ANOTHER UNDER TENSION, AND SAID ENDS OF SAID RETAINER BEING OF A SIZE FITTING INTO RESPECTIVE OF SAID SLOTS UNDER TENSION AND OF A LENGTH PROVIDING STABILITY FOR SAID RETAINER LENGTHWISE OF SAID SHELF. 